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Tasmanian travel vouchers scheme on again, as tourist operators eye COVID future

Erica Bowd hasn't had to change a thing to attract visitors to her high-end accommodation on the shores of the Bruny Island in Tasmania's south.

Key points:

• A third round of travel vouchers have been released to help stimulate the Tasmanian tourism economy
• Some tourism businesses are thriving despite the border closures, others less so
• Despite concerns for businesses reliant on the international market, the outlook for the Christmas season is positive

Despite the on-again-off-again border closures and recent COVID-19 lockdowns grappling Australia's three most populous states, her "boutique environmental accommodation" is not only running at capacity — it has a waitlist.

"To be completely honest, we've been fully booked the whole time," said Ms Bowd, who owns the property.

"For us, we've been running at a 100 per cent with a waitlist."

She said people do cancel when lockdowns prevent them from making the trip, but the vacancies are then snapped up "literally overnight".

"With Queensland lockdown just recently, we get an influx of cancellations, naturally. Followed — probably the following day — by an influx of replacement bookings by other states that are available," she said.

"We do a lot more work in that we're handling cancellations and rebooking. We had one vacancy this year. That's how busy we are."

Ms Bowd thinks she could be one of the fortunate ones.

Bruny Island is a small but densely visited place, advertised as "Tasmania's premiere island destination".

"Maybe we are just benefiting from a little microcosm. And we do provide a unique style of accommodation," she said.

Third round of travel vouchers available

Others have been on the roller-coaster of high tourist activity, followed by a dry spell.

Maylands Lodge in Hobart — another high-end accommodation venue — lost about 50 per cent of its bookings for the month, when New South Wales announced a lockdown.

Those places still haven't been filled.

"When there's a sudden lockdown, it's impossible," manager Jessica Johnson said.

"It's really difficult to fill last-minute bookings.

"The biggest thing is, even when the borders do open people are so hesitant to want to leave.

"It's been over a year now and unfortunately the novelty for Tasmanians has worn off in terms of wanting to travel around their own state."

But the Tasmanian Government is confident is has a remedy.

Today, it will release $7.5 million worth of tourism vouchers designed to entice Tasmanians to "holiday at home" .

"The vouchers, I think, give people the little nudge or remind them that they can support local businesses," Ms Johnson said.

Those wanting to secure a voucher have to enter a ballot set to ensure vouchers are "fairly allocated".

The ballot closes on August 9 and successful recipients will be notified on August 11.

It is the third time the government has released vouchers since the pandemic began. Except this time around, they can be used seven days a week — until September 24.

Each voucher is worth $300, of which $200 is allocated for an accommodation of choice and $100 for a tourism experience, which also constitutes a rental car hire.

"What we know from the last voucher scheme is that there was just under $30 million worth of additional spending in our economy as a result," Premier Peter Gutwein said.

"We expect that this voucher scheme will be just as successful.

"Obviously those [businesses] relying on people coming from NSW have been significantly impacted. What we want to see is those beds filled by Tasmanians."

Future forecast 'very strong'

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said tourism operators had had a mixed experience during the pandemic, but overall, the sector had fared "better than expected".

"There were certainly some businesses that have had visitation higher than pre-COVID levels. But there are also sectors of industry that are struggling really hard," he said.

"Our forecasting at the beginning of the pandemic was that there was a visitation level of 40 to 50 per cent of what we had pre-2019.

"Prior to the current border closures, the access into the state was up at about 85 per cent of 2019 levels, which is a lot higher than we had forecast.

"What has played out is that Tasmania is a very attractive destination for the domestic market."

He said despite concerns for businesses reliant on the international market, the overall prediction for the Christmas season looked positive.

"The future forecast is very strong," he said.

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Tasmanian Government Information

For tasmanians.

• Service Tasmania Government services and transactions.
• Working for Government The Tasmanian Government's employment website.
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Be Tasmanian

About the tasmanian government.

• Government organisations
• The Premier
• Government media releases

• 2 Cities and townships
• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Geography
• 4.3 Politics
• 4.4 Climate
• 4.5 Economy
• 4.6 Holidays
• 4.7 Time zone
• 4.8 Tourist information
• 5.1 By plane
• 5.2 By ferry
• 6.3 By train
• 6.4 By plane
• 6.5 By bicycle
• 7.1 Wildlife
• 7.2 Landmarks
• 14.1 In the bush
• 14.2 Wildlife
• 14.4 Bushfires

Tasmania is the island state of Australia , southeast of the mainland. Tasmania encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, and over 1000 smaller islands, both inhabited and uninhabited. It is the smallest state in Australia by both area and by population, with just over 500,000 permanent residents. Over 45% of Tasmania is protected by national parks and world heritage sites, and it features diverse climates, flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in Australia, and a rich heritage, both Indigenous and post-colonial.

You'll find the inhabitants notably more polite, friendly and helpful than in big cities on the mainland such as Melbourne , Sydney and Brisbane .

Regions [ edit ]

Other [ edit ]

• Macquarie Island is a Subantarctic island around 1,500 km (930 mi) south-southeast of Tasmania. While it's administered as part of the Huon Valley, it's geologically, physically, and ecologically closer to many other Subantarctic islands, particularly the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands .

Cities and townships [ edit ]

• -42.880556 147.325 1 Hobart – the state capital and largest city located in the south of the island
• -41.866667 148.283333 2 Bicheno – beach town on the east coast
• -41.063611 145.875278 3 Burnie – the fourth largest city in Tasmania
• -41.180556 146.346389 4 Devonport – home to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, third largest city
• -43.033333 147.033333 5 Huonville – gateway to southern Tasmania
• -41.441944 147.145 6 Launceston – the second largest city
• -42.080556 145.555556 7 Queenstown – historic mining town on the west coast
• -42.733333 147.433333 8 Richmond – home to many old buildings dating back to the 19th century as well as the oldest bridge in use in Australia
• -42.15 145.316667 9 Strahan – one of the most isolated (and beautiful) parts of Australia and the largest centre in western Tasmania.

Other destinations [ edit ]

Tasmania has some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery not just in Australia but also the world. Over 45 percent of Tasmania is protected in national parks so you can't make a visit here without checking at least a couple of national parks out. The UNESCO World Heritage site Tasmanian Wilderness covers about a quarter of Tasmania. There's a park for every season and for every person. Discover spectacular landscapes from highlands carved by glaciers, including the only fjords in Australia, to quiet solitary beaches, from cool and silent rainforests, to colourful alpine wilderness wild flowers. Tasmania's 19 national parks encompass a diversity of unspoiled habitats and ecosystems which offer refuge to unique, and often ancient, plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.

• -41.566667 147.666667 1 Ben Lomond National Park – mountain with a ski resort.
• -43.366667 147.283333 2 Bruny Island – perhaps Tasmania's most visited offshore island
• -42.125278 148.298333 5 Freycinet National Park – known for its beaches and bay.
• -42.655278 146.5875 7 Mount Field National Park – one of the more visited national parks in Tasmania, and a popular skiing area

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

Tasmania has been inhabited by humans for approximately 60,000 years. Between around 6,000 BCE, sea levels rose and Aboriginal Tasmanians were entirely isolated from the rest of the human race, until the first contact with Europeans in 1777.

The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on 24 November 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Captain James Cook landed at Adventure Bay in 1777. Matthew Flinders and George Bass first proved Tasmania to be an island in 1798–99.

The first European settling of Tasmania was by the British at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent estuary in 1804. Penal settlements were established at Sullivans Cove (Hobart), Maria Island, Sarah Island, and Port Arthur . The colony changed its name from "Van Diemen's Land" to "Tasmania" in 1856. The Colony of Tasmania existed from 1856 until 1901, when it federated with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Geography [ edit ]

Located in the Southern Ocean separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait and from New Zealand by the Tasman Sea, Tasmania is Australia's smallest state, with an area of 68,400 km² (26,410 square miles). It is comparable in size to the Canadian province of New Brunswick or the country of Ireland . It's within the range of the notorious "Roaring Forties" winds that encircle the globe.

Tasmania's population is focused in the southeast and north in the regions around the cities of Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

The Midlands (the area between Hobart and Launceston) is the driest region of Tasmania and is primarily used for cattle and sheep grazing. The Huon Valley and the area between Launceston and Burnie is used for both agriculture and horticulture. The Central Highlands, the West Coast and the Southwest Wilderness are all mountainous forested areas, a majority of which are protected inside national parks.

Tasmania is very mountainous: while its tallest mountain, Mount Ossa, at 1,617 m (5,305 ft) is not that high compared to global standards, the mountains are what characterise Tasmania. Much of Tasmania is densely forested, with Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas home to some of the last pristine temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Politics [ edit ]

Tasmania is one of the six founding members of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is separated into 29 smaller local government areas.

Like all other states except for Queensland, Tasmania has a bicameral parliament; the Parliament of Tasmania consists of the Legislative Council (upper house) and the House of Assembly (lower house). In state elections, there are 5 electorates, each consisting of 7 members each (as of March 2024).

There are four influential political parties in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberal Party is the state's centre-right party and is a division of the Liberal Party at the federal division. Tasmanian Labor is a centrist/centre-left party and a branch of the Australian Labor Party, of which it shares many similar values. The Tasmanian Greens, a branch of the Australian Greens, is a minor party, is a left-wing environmentalist party and is considered to be the successor of the United Tasmania Party, the world's first Green party; this was the first time where an environmentalist party had some success in politics. The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) is another minor but populist/right-wing party with a strong regional focus on Tasmania and Tasmanians.

Climate [ edit ]

Tasmania typically has more rainy days than anywhere else in Australia, with "four seasons in a day" being often the norm. The southwest and West Coast in particular receive a great amount of rainfall - so much of it that it is considered uninhabitable. Both cold waves from Antarctica and heatwaves from the mainland can reach the island anytime. The sea temperature is rather low throughout the year, even in the north.

Tasmania has a cool temperate climate, comparable with that of northern Europe and/or Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, with the following seasons:

• Spring from September to November, with frequent snowfalls at higher elevations.
• Summer from December to February. It has about 15 hours of daylight from 5:30AM to 8:30–9:30PM.
• Autumn from March to May. Changeable weather.
• Winter from June to August. High areas receive a good amount of snowfall. It has the least daylight with about 9 hours a day from 8AM to 4:30PM, but sometimes even earlier, especially in the Huon and Far South.

Economy [ edit ]

Tasmania's main industries are mining (including copper, zinc, tin, and iron), forestry, agriculture, fresh produce ( fruit & vegetables , dairy, seafood , beer and wine ), and tourism. The economy is affected by the Bass Strait, and how the freight and transport issues of goods into and out of the island are costed and subsidised, at times there are more Tasmanian-born people in Melbourne, than there are in Tasmania, due to the nature of the Tasmanian job market .

Holidays [ edit ]

National public holidays can be found in the main Australia article .

Statewide public holidays

• 8-Hour Day (Labor Day): Second Monday of March (Eight Hours Day)
• Recreation Day: First Monday in November (Except areas that observe Royal Hobart Regatta)

Regional public holidays These apply to smaller areas of Tasmania:

• Wednesday not earlier than fifth and not later than eleventh day of January: Devonport Cup (Devonport only)
• Last Wednesday of February: Launceston Cup (Launceston and surrounds)
• Second Monday of February: Royal Regatta Day (Southern Tasmania only)
• First Tuesday of March: King Island Show (King Island only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: AGFEST (Circular Head only)
• The Friday before the first Saturday of October: Burnie Show (Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast)
• Thursday before the second Saturday of October: Royal Launceston Show (Launceston and surrounds)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Flinders Island Show (Flinders Island only)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Royal Hobart Show (Southern Tasmania only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: Devonport Show (Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe only)

Time zone [ edit ]

Tasmania follows the same time zone as New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory: Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10). Like the two southeastern states, Tasmania also observes daylight savings and follows the Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (UTC+11) between the first Sunday of October and April.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Disvover Tasmania website

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

There are no international scheduled flights to Tasmania, except seasonal flights from New Zealand . All other flights must come through mainland cities. There are seasonal flights over Antarctica .

• Flights to Hobart from Melbourne , Sydney , Brisbane , and the Gold Coast as well as Auckland .
• Flights to Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
• Flights to Burnie and Devonport from Melbourne.
• Flights to King Island and Flinders Island from Melbourne.

See the local guides for more information.

By ferry [ edit ]

There is only one ferry route, which are the two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong and arrive at Devonport. See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry. It takes a full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing and takes vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets.

The crossing can be a little choppy at times, but provides beautiful sunsets and costs around $200–300 each way (excluding the cost bringing a vehicle). You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey.

Crossings can also be part of cruise ship itineraries.

Rental car companies usually do not allow you to take their vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have rented a car on the mainland and need one in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Geelong, Victoria; rental cars are available at the Devonport terminal.

Get around [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

Tasmania is perhaps Australia's most car-centric state: driving is not just the most convenient way to get around, but it is also the most practical. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from Geelong on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, or hired upon arrival through the major operators typically found on the mainland. Car rentals typically do not permit taking the car on the ferry crossing. Car rentals also generally prohibit driving on unsealed roads, which are very common in Tasmania.

Tasmania's speed limits are more liberal than the three states on the mainland's East Coast. By default, the maximum urban limit is 50 km/h, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 100 km/h on rural roads. However, on most rural roads, the government has practically adopted a "drive to conditions approach" by setting a 100 km/h limit on even the most windiest of roads with few to no slow or overtaking lanes. In practice, if you're new to the area, you may struggle to even travel 80 km/h on these roads, but the limit is for those who are experienced with such road conditions. Remember, if you are not comfortable driving 100 km/h on "100 km/h changing road conditions" roads, you do not have to drive 100 km/h . You may also encounter 110 km/h limits on the Midland, Bass and Tasman Highways.

Tasmania has four main road classifications: National Highway, A-routes, B-routes, and C-routes. The only national highway is Tasmanian National Highway 1 comprising of the Brooker, Midland and Bass Highways between Hobart and Burnie. A-routes (numbered between 2 and 10) connect major regional centres, B-routes (numbered between 10 and 85, in addition to 110) connect minor towns to major regional centres or highways, while C-routes (numbered between 101 and 854) are smaller roads that typically connect B-routes to an even smaller destination. A route number does not necessarily reflect the road quality: until 2019, the A5 (Lake Highway) through the Highland Lakes was unsealed, and other A-routes such as the A3 are more windier than many B-routes in the north.

Many major roads, even A-routes, wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, narrow and with few overtaking lanes, and some sections of remote roads may be in need of repair. Direct roads on the maps may take longer than you think. Take care on some of the winding or secondary roads, since some ute drivers and locals may try to overtake on dangerous stretches of road or tailgate you if you aren't travelling fast enough. Some local drivers, especially in suburban and semi-open areas (e.g. Bass Highway), will also tailgate and attempt dangerous manoeuvres to pass or overtake you, especially if they see you are driving a hire car.

Be especially careful driving between dusk and dawn as this is when the wildlife is most active: keep on the lookout for wallabies, devils, possums and others. Tasmania has the unfortunate distinction of being the roadkill capital of the world . Wallabies and wombats can make a mess of your vehicle if hit. The Tasmanian government generally advises you drive 65 km/h between dusk and dawn and 45 km/h in some places like the Tasman Peninsula (Tasman Island).

Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads. A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, although they are not always up to date.

By bus [ edit ]

Buses can be an option if time is on your side, but otherwise isn't a feasible way of getting around. Planning is advised since services can be infrequent. Redline Tasmania and Tassielink are the main long distance bus companies, with population centres serviced by Metro Tasmania for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston and Merseylink that provide services to Devonport and Latrobe. If you are not in a major town (e.g. Hobart, Launceston) bus services can be infrequent, expensive and hard to rely on. Make sure you have a copy of the timetable with you.

By train [ edit ]

There are no public train services. The many railways seen crossing minor roads are used for freight only. The only non-freight railway of any kind is the West Coast Wilderness Railway , a tourist train which runs between Strahan and Queenstown on the West Coast. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included (very slow compared to the 30-minute car journey).

• Par Avion offer scenic flights across the state and services into Melaleuca in Southwest National Park .
• Airlines of Tasmania offer flights between Launceston and Cape Barren Island .
• Sharp Airlines offer flights to Flinders Island from Launceston and flights to King Island from Launceston and Burnie.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Bicycle touring is a popular way to see cities Tasmania, but driving on rural roads can be very dangerous. Bicycle rental companies can be found in major cities and towns.

See [ edit ]

Wildlife [ edit ].

If you spend any time in the bush you are very likely to see:

• Kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons are everywhere throughout Tasmania.
• Wombats can be found in many national parks and mostly come out at night.
• Ringtail and brushtail possums only come out at night.

Less common wildlife include:

• Echidnas are rarely seen in the bush. They're more easily spotted when crossing roads.
• Bandicoots and Potoroos are at the small end of the jumping marsupial scale.
• Platypus are very elusive. If you are persistent and very quiet and still you may find one rummaging at the bottom of a creek.
• Eastern and Spotted-tail Quolls very rarely seen.
• Tasmanian devils are rarely seen in the wild. They can sometimes be spotted along roadsides eating roadkill at night and sometimes on the edge of rural towns.

Landmarks [ edit ]

• kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a large mountain that rises above Tasmania's capital city. Visitors can drive to the top, where a viewing lookout is located, and well maintained walking tracks are located in the foothills. A coffee van operates at the Springs, a picnic area mid way up the mountain.
• Bay of Fires is one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations, located between Eddystone Point and Binalong Bay. Bay of Fires has beautiful blue water, red rocks, and sandy white beaches. Enter through Binalong Bay which is 10 minutes from St Helens. This area offers a wide range of activities including camping, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing, and walking along the coastline.
• Cataract Gorge is a unique, natural formation within a two-minute drive from central Launceston known to locals as The Gorge. After walking 15 minutes from central Launceston along Tamar River into Gorge, you then follow the pathway along the cliff face looking down onto South Esk River. On the southern side, called the First Basin, there is a cafe, swimming pool, and Launceston's beach. The northern side, known as the Cliff Grounds, there is a kiosk, restaurants, swimming pool, and a chairlift across the river. The Cataract Gorge Reserve is one of Australia's most fascinating urban parks.
• Hastings Caves include Newdegate Cave, the largest cave in Australia open to tourists. Tour magical chambers of flowstones and shawls, then relax in a thermal pool. Formations in the cave are spectacular and include flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites tendrils of calcite that grow in all directions in tiny filaments.
• Mole Creek Karst Tasmania's only national park featuring caves. Among many features are the King Solomon and Marakoopa Caves, both of which can be viewed with Tasmania Park Service guides leading you. The two caves are distinctly different and a separate entry ticket is required for each. Tour times are staggered throughout the day.

Five world heritage listed convict sites are located in Tasmania, in the northeast and south of the island. The best known is likely Port Arthur.

• Port Arthur is the best preserved convict site in Australia. Many years ago, this site played a key role in the colonial system of convict discipline. During your experience, you will have the chance to take guided tours of the Commandant's House, Parsonage, Trentham Cottage, Junior Medical Officer's quarters, historic buildings and ruins of the Penitentiary, Barracks, Guard Tower and military precinct, Hospital, Paupers' Depot and Asylum. Port Arthur is surrounded by beautiful bushland and trails available to explore the land around you.
• Ross is another convict town, but is not listed as a world-heritage site. It's known for its convict-built bridge and its old female factory, both of which are popular stopover destinations for those travelling on the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston.
• Salamanca Place in Sullivans Cove, is Hobart's favourite hang out. Salamanca is lined with a long row of sandstone buildings built in the 1830s. You can wander under the heavy stone arches to find craft and design shops, jewellers, coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, fashion boutiques, and the Salamanca Arts Centre and artists’ galleries. Every Saturday there’s the Salamanca Market, where you can buy anything from a handmade wooden toy or a hand-spun, hand-knitted sweater to fresh fruit and vegetables or a 50-year-old china plate.
• The Nut is located at the historic village of Stanley , in far north-west Tasmania. The Nut, a sheer-sided bluff is all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug. A walking track climbs to the summit of The Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town. There is accommodation and an excellent campground in Stanley, and the town is a good base for exploring the forests and coastlines further west.

Do [ edit ]

• Trout fishing . Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Incorporated (TGALT) is the industry body, that was voluntarily formed in 1981 as the Tasmanian Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association. Its primary purpose was to provide anglers with a source of guides that they could be assured, would provide a safe, appropriate and professional service. During 1995 the Association was expanded to specifically include trout fishing lodges as full members.
• The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride - held in early February.
• Bicycle touring and mountain biking - there are some great places to ride your bicycle in Tasmania.
• Scuba diving - Tasmania is home to some of the best temperate diving in the world. Along with its giant kelp forests and numerous shipwrecks, the waters reefs also offer an array of unique marine plants and animals. There are many dive sites along the coast, the most popular sites are at Bicheno , Bay of Fires , Flinders Island , Fortescue Bay , Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island .
• Off road touring - Tasmania is a very rugged and heavily forested region, tourists happen to miss out on some incredible places if they do not have a vehicle with four-wheel-drive. Visitors can explore these trails with an experienced operator or either form or tag along with a group. Before exploring, make sure you have a current map of the area. In 2003, Tasmania changed the co-ordinate system used for all maps from AGD 66 to GDA 94. Also, ask the local land manager for the latest information on the condition of the area you plan to use and permits.
• Wildlife watching . Because of its separation from mainland Australia, Tasmania is home to animals and plants that are rare or even extinct in other areas around the world. If visitors are watchful, they are very likely to witness these species on trails or near streams. Tourists can also be by a tour guide to point out these animals so you won't miss them! Some of these rare mammals include the Tasmanian Devil, Platypus, Echidna, Sugar Glider, Eastern Quoll, and Forester Kangaroo.
• Hang gliding and the Flying Fox . Hollybank Treetops Adventure takes visitors across treetops and gives them the experience of seeing Tasmania's forests in a whole new way - bird's-eye view! These canopy tours last for 3 hours and are led by highly trained professionals. Not only do guests take part in this unique adventure by soaring across about a kilometre of cable but they also learn about the forests below them.
• Kayaking . After landing in Hobart's Airport, you are a mere 20-minute drive away from beginning your kayaking experience. Visitors can explore Tasmania's beautiful coastlines and search out secret coves by kayaking. There are professional kayak guides based in Hobart, Kettering, Port Arthur, Coles Bay, Launceston, and Strahan. Kayak travel through Tasmania's beautiful landscape offers relaxation and exhilaration that tourists will not want to miss out on.
• Adventure activities including abseiling, all-terrain vehicles, bicycle touring, caves and caving, diving, jet boats, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, sky diving, swimming, surfing and whitewater rafting.

Hiking [ edit ]

No trip to Tasmania is complete without hiking. While many of the state's important natural attractions have since been linked by road, many photogenic locations still require you to hike or walk the very least, even if it's just for a few hundred metres (which wouldn't be considered hiking by most Australian standards).

Contrary to the mainland, the vegetation seen on hikes is starkly different – and the temperate forests here tend to be more well-preserved. Conservation laws in Tasmania are stronger, so you may not find anything more than a boardwalk in some remote trails.

If long-distance hiking isn't your gist, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service has created the 60 Great Short Walks . See Hiking and bushwalking in Australia § Tasmania for more about trails, and Tasmanian national parks § Hiking about the grading system.

On some trails, you must register before you hike. In many cases, this can as simple as writing your name and phone number on a book inside a mountain hut, but the entire purpose of this is for the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that you come home safely. Weather can rapidly change and it's easy to become stranded in the Tasmanian Wilderness. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Popular trails and/or trails that Wikivoyage has an article on:

• Overland Track : the iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Bookings are essential during the main walking season (November to April).
• South Coast Track : the bushwalk along the south coast of Tasmania, from Melaleuca, to Cockle Creek. Tly in by aircraft and take a 6-day walk back home.
• Three Falls Circuit : a 7.5-km hike covering three impressive waterfalls in Mount Field National Park

Buy [ edit ]

One of Tasmania's most famous products is leatherwood honey , and there are numerous honey farms on the island in which you can purchase this.

Like elsewhere in Australia, tipping can be considered very unusual, however, most of the time, it's well appreciated. Most Tasmanian's wages are well below the mainland so don't be surprised if the people here are a lot more grateful. On the other hand, unlike in the US, you probably won't be frowned upon at if you don't - because tipping in Australia is quite unusual.

American Express credit cards are almost universally rejected by local businesses, even major chains and most branches of the state government.

Tasmanian businesses no longer give out free plastic bags. Most local government areas also ban single use plastics for takeaway food.

Eat [ edit ]

Tasmania has a wide variety of culinary offerings. Tasmania produces a wide range of cuisines, both quintessentially Australian foods, and a wide range of international offerings. Tasmania has a diverse immigrant community which has contributed to a colourful range of cuisines. Tasmanian produces much of its own food, including many crops you wouldn't expect, such as saffron, tea, truffles and wasabi. Many regions of Tasmania have particular specialties, for example King Island produces gourmet cheeses and beef and the Huon Valley is most famous for apples.

Being surrounded by the sea, it is no surprise that Tasmania also has a strong seafood culture, with many dedicated seafood restaurants offering salmon, abalone, scallops, oysters, mussels and crayfish. Curried scallop pies are a particularly well known Tasmanian specialty.

There is a list of vegetarian and vegetarian friendly eateries in Tasmania .

Drink [ edit ]

Tasmania has many exceptional world class beers, whiskies & wines.

There are two major breweries in Tasmania; Cascade Brewery in Hobart and J. Boag & Sons Brewery in Launceston, which each offer tours. A number of boutique beer makers and distillers are spread around the state.

You can tour the Tasmanian Wine Routes easily by car or on guided tours. The island's Wine Routes include the Tamar Valley, north of Launceston along both sides of the Tamar River and east to Pipers River; the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys (together comprising the Southern Wine Route), an easy drive from Hobart; and the growing wine regions of the North West and the East Coast.

Tasmania is the centre of Australia's craft whisky industry, and there are numerous distilleries throughout the state. Due to the similarity of Tasmania's climate to that of Scotland , Tasmanian whiskies are primarily based on Scotch whiskies. Unlike in other areas, there is no large-scale commercial whisky distillation in Australia, and the industry is dominated by small boutique distilleries. Two of Tasmania's most important distilleries are Sullivans Cove in Cambridge , and Lark in Hobart , both of which have won prestigious international awards.

Tasmania also has a strong cider culture, with a number of small to medium boutique cider producers including Willie Smiths, Pagan Cider, Franks Cider and Lost Pippin. The Tasmanian cider industry operates a Tasmanian Cider Trail for those who want to undertake a self-guided tour, and Willie Smiths celebrates an annual Mid Winter Fest, including traditional wassailing - the pagan practice of scaring the evil spirits away from the apple trees.

Tasmania is also home to several craft vodka and gin distilleries. There are also a wide range of local non-alcohol beverage producers. Tasmania has several well-regarded tea companies - the Tasmanian Tea Company, Tassie-T and the Art of Tea - whose drinks can be found in local restaurants and boutique grocers. Hartz and Juicy Isle both produce local sodas and cordials, and Westerway Farms and Juicy Isle continue to produce Tasmania's famous blackcurrant cordial, once made by Cascade.

The legal drinking age is 18 years . It is illegal either to purchase alcohol for yourself if you are under 18 years of age or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18 years of age. The only legally acceptable proof-of-age documentation are an Australian drivers licence, state-issued proof-of-age card, Keypass card or a passport, and it would be wise to carry one if you want to purchase alcohol or tobacco and look under 25 - vendors will frequently ask for ID for anybody who looks to be 25 or younger. In Tasmania, foreign drivers licences and foreign ID cards are not legally acceptable as proof of age documentation, and people who are unable to produce a passport or valid Australian ID will be refused service. Only actual ID documents will be accepted; photographs or photocopies will not be accepted.

Sleep [ edit ]

There is a variety of accommodation options available across the state, from camping through to 5-star luxury. Tasmania is particularly renowned for its hosted bed and breakfast accommodation where you can experience a different way of life in a whole range of different properties, including heritage listed and more modern properties in stunning locations.

There are four YHA (Hostelling International) branded hostels in Tasmania and a number of independent operators spread around the state. Prices range anywhere from $10-30.

Respect [ edit ]

Tasmanians are generally more laid-back and friendly than their mainland counterparts. They are usually very willing to help you out or give advice when asked.

You should also mind that it is never a good idea to bring up the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre (the worst mass shooting in modern Australian history), even when you are outside Port Arthur as it may be a sensitive issue to some, even if they were not present at the scene. On the contrary, Tasmanians are very laid back when talking about the island's convict history, people here are unlikely to be offended by it.

Stay safe [ edit ]

In the bush [ edit ].

Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear, local advice and maps. Always sign the logbook at the beginning and end of each walk. Mobile coverage is limited in wilderness areas. The main dangers of bushwalking are getting lost and/or suffering from hypothermia. Tasmania's weather is notoriously changeable. Be sure to take a good raincoat and warm clothes with you even on a sunny day because an hour or two later it could be pouring with rain. If undertaking more serious bushwalking a map and compass is a must, as is a good sleeping bag and tent for multi-day walks.

Mosquitoes are present all year round. There are no mosquito-born viruses. A good repellent is advisable if going into the bush.

There are three species of snake in Tasmania: copperhead, white-lipped, and tiger. The tiger snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but don't let that deter you. No one has died from a snake bite in Tasmania since 1977. All three use the same anti-venom so identification of the snake is not important. Most snakes will slither away as soon as they hear you coming.

Water [ edit ]

While in wilderness areas the water may be good to drink, but it is still highly recommended that you boil before consumption. If in touristy areas, such as The Overland Track, always boil your water or risk gastro.

Bushfires [ edit ]

During the Tasmanian bushfire season, which runs from roughly October to March, be vigilant and keep aware of local news. Bushfires can start and spread rapidly, even in urban areas. Many Tasmanian towns have just one exit, so it is worth planning ahead - even if a bushfire is hours away, it may be too late to leave if you wait.

In times of high fire danger, it may be worth reconsidering any activities that take you too deep into the bush. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website to assess the fire rating before going. The Tasmanian Fire Service provides an incidents list on its website, but this may be several hours out of date at times. ABC Local Radio (936 AM in Southern Tasmania, and a variety of frequencies in Northern Tasmania) is often the most up to date with emergency information, and can also be accessed online or on your phone.

Go next [ edit ]

• Geelong and Melbourne are obvious next destinations, with the former easily reachable by ferry and the latter by plane.
• Antarctica from Hobart has scheduled flights during summer months

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View our online guides below or pick one up at any Tasmanian Visitor Information Centre, airports, tourism brochure racks or on board the Spirit of Tasmania.

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Bold and ambitious plan for Tasmania’s visitor economy backed by new funding

• 14 Aug 2023 12:06 pm AEST Date Time

Tasmania’s tourism industry is one of our great success stories, and the Rockliff Liberal Government has worked with industry to develop a new bold and ambitious plan to cement its future as a driver of jobs and our economy for decades to come.

The Government has worked hand in hand with the industry to set a vision for Tasmania’s visitor economy through to 2030, which will continue to see Tasmania lead the nation and forge its own path.

Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff said the industry’s future prosperity was critical for Tasmania.

“Our tourism industry supports over 37,000 jobs while adding billions to our economy, and with the industry once again thriving, this Strategy will lock in its future for the long term,” the Premier said.

“In recognition of the industry’s contribution to our economy, we’re today committing $12 million in new funding over three years to back immediate priorities outlined in the Strategy like boosting the workforce, attracting business events to Tasmania, a 10-year infrastructure plan and stimulating more private investment in tourism products.

“We know that our visitor economy will continue to grow, and that’s why the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy is both a plan for growth, and a plan to manage growth sustainably.

“We will deliver real outcomes to support tourism and hospitality operators to embrace Tasmania’s net zero emissions future, aligned with our Tasmanian Climate Action Plan.”

The strategy sets eight key directions to grow and manage our visitor economy based on making a positive impact to our community, economy, environment, industry, visitors and Tasmania as a destination.

The Chair of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), Daniel Leesong, said that in a number of areas, Tasmania will be leading the way nationally and forging its own unique path.

“One of these will be in the emissions reduction program that the TICT will be leading, supported by the Tasmanian Government, to help operators understand their emissions profile and then reduce their footprint.

“Our workforce is our single most important asset, and as an industry we’ll be ramping up efforts to invest in fit for purpose training, strengthen our ties with the tertiary education sector and try different ideas to tackle the lack of worker accommodation in regional areas.

“We want our industry to be seen as a valuable career choice for future generations of young Tasmanians and we need to do better.”

Mr Leesong said that the three-year Action Plan also launched today included clear steps that both the Government and industry will take to achieve the 2030 vision and both would be held accountable on their achievement.

“We thank the Tasmanian Government and the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, for recognising what a critical contributor the visitor economy is to Tasmania and providing funding to the tune of $12 million to see priority areas in the plan delivered.”

The 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy and Action Plan is available at www.tourismtasmania.com.au

The strategy is a joint development of the Tasmanian Government and Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industry through the T21 partnership and has been informed by industry and community consultation and growth forecasting.

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Eric Abetz handed senior Tasmanian cabinet roles – as it happened

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• Qatar Airways avoids lawsuit over treatment of Australian women at Doha airport

What did Penny Wong say about recognising Palestinian statehood – and is Australia at odds with its allies?

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• 10 Apr 2024 What we learned: Wednesday 10 April
• 10 Apr 2024 Eric Abetz named a minister in Tasmanian government
• 10 Apr 2024 Senator’s Jacqui Lambie Network split without ‘huge drama’
• 10 Apr 2024 Mona responds to ruling against Ladies Lounge
• 10 Apr 2024 Tasmanian Liberals secure deal with Jacqui Lambie Network to form government
• 10 Apr 2024 EPA confirms asbestos at eight sites across Melbourne
• 10 Apr 2024 New home starts sink to 11-year low: Master Builders Australia
• 10 Apr 2024 Breaking down the government's position on a Palestinian state
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• 10 Apr 2024 Andrew Hastie warns of ‘strategic disorder across the globe’
• 10 Apr 2024 High court rules for government in ‘bizarre’ steering wheel visa case
• 10 Apr 2024 Asbestos confirmed at seventh site in Melbourne
• 10 Apr 2024 Julian Hill backs calls for recognition of Palestinian state
• 10 Apr 2024 Environment minister defends approval of coalmines during her term
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• 9 Apr 2024 Support for two-state solution v recognition of Palestinian statehood
• 9 Apr 2024 ‘Security for Israel only achieved if Palestinian state alongside it,’ Wong says
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What we learned: Wednesday 10 April

We’re going to leave it here for the day. Here’s what happened:

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff has reached an agreement with the Jacqui Lambie Network to form government, with JLN members Miriam Beswick, Andrew Jenner, and Rebekah Pentland agreeing to provide confidence to his government on a number of measures.

Former federal Coalition senator Eric Abetz has been named Tasmanian minister for business, industry and resources , which includes salmon and forestry. Abetz will also be minister for transport, and the leader of the government in the lower house.

The Coalition’s defence spokesperson, Andrew Hastie , has said “we are seeing breakouts of strategic disorder across the globe” and accused the Albanese government of being “weak at articulating the threats we face”.

A Melbourne council in the city’s west says asbestos has been discovered at Altona Coastal Park , as the discovery of contaminated material spreads to seven parks across the city.

Thanks for reading. We’ll be back tomorrow to take you through all the news Thursday has to offer.

Eric Abetz named a minister in Tasmanian government

The conservative Liberal will have responsibility for contentious salmon farms and native forest logging in Tasmania after being appointed to senior roles in Jeremy Rockliff ‘s new cabinet.

The former federal Coalition senator has been named the state minister for business, industry and resources, which includes salmon and forestry. Abetz will also be minister for transport, and the leader of the government in the lower house as the Rockliff government attempts to navigate a parliament in which it holds only 14 of 35 seats.

The announcement of the cabinet followed the Liberals reaching an agreement with the state’s three new Jacqui Lambie Network MPs - Miriam Beswick , Andrew Jenner and Rebekah Pentland .

JLN promised to back the Liberals on confidence and censure votes that did not involve “malfeasance or corruption” and guaranteed to support all budget bills. The minor party also said it would give the government notice if it intended to vote against any of its legislation, and then vote for an adjournment so the parties could negotiate.

Rockliff still needs a deal on confidence votes with at least one of the state’s three independent MPs – Craig Garland , Kristie Johnston and David O’Byrne – to reach the 18 votes needed in parliament.

Greens leader calls on government to ‘immediately recognise Palestine’

Posting on social media site X, Adam Bandt also said the government should “end military exports and stop military contracts with Israel, and stop backing the invasion”.

The Labor government should immediately recognise Palestine. Labor must also end military exports & stop military contracts with Israel, and stop backing the invasion. No need to wait. There’s no barrier to this happening right now. — Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) April 10, 2024

Qatar Airways avoids Australian lawsuit

The airline has dodged legal action over an incident at Doha airport in which women were forcibly removed from planes by armed guards and some intimately examined.

However, while the federal court dismissed the case against the airline, justice John Halley determined the five Australian women bringing the case could instead re-plead their claims for damages against Matar, a Qatar Airways-owned subsidiary engaged by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to run Doha airport.

The five women initiated legal action against the airline in 2022, later adding the QCAA and Matar to the case over the incident in October 2020, seeking damages over “unlawful physical contact”, false imprisonment and mental health impacts, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

They were among more than a dozen passengers who were escorted off the Sydney-bound Qatar Airways plane by armed guards as authorities searched for the mother of a newborn baby found abandoned in a plastic bag at Hamad international airport. The infant survived.

The women were taken to ambulances on the tarmac and some were forced to submit to invasive examinations for evidence they had recently given birth. The lawsuit claims one passenger was forced to undergo a strip-search holding her five-month-old son.

Senator’s Jacqui Lambie Network split without ‘huge drama’

Tammy Tyrrell , the Tasmanian senator who spectacularly quit the Jacqui Lambie Network before the Easter weekend, has likened the deterioration of her relationship with Lambie and the minor party to a marriage breakdown.

Tyrell told ABC on Wednesday afternoon she had made the decision to “rip the Band-Aid off and separate” with the minor party after it became clear they were no longer happy with her.

“If someone is not happy in a relationship, and it is made obvious they are not happy with the way the other person in the relationship is representing them, someone has to make a decision. I said before that the people of Tasmania are the children in this relationship and they will be looked after fabulously .”

Asked whether there was tension or a “blow up” between the two Tasmanians, Tyrell said she would not speak badly about the senator she once worked for as an office manager.

I would love to say there was a huge drama but, in any relationship, there are highs and lows and in all honesty, we’re not really in a low, we are just travelling the course of our relationship. Jacqui and I wish each other well. We’re not going to do anything different in that we are going to try and get the best for Tasmania with the legislation. We will work together moving forward. And I will never speak badly about them.

Tyrell was also asked about the role of the minor party’s board in her resignation. The now independent senator said there was nothing murky about the board she had sat on before resigning.

We are new to the political game but we were not silly so we knew we had to make sure that the network was protected and a board was created. But if you speak to Jacqui or another senator I am sure they would be happy to explain more.

Barnaby Joyce is criticising delays in implementing a new system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans, the draft legislation of which he says was initially meant to be released in 2023.

He says the legislation, which is meant to combine the three current acts that govern these issues – the veterans entitlement act, the military act, and defence rehabilitation act – “was supposed to go through or be complete in 2025. Now they are saying it won’t be complete until 2026. They might not even be the government then.”

Joyce says it’s important that Australians know the context of this issue, in understanding his frustration:

Since 1997 about 1600 Australian ex-servicemen and women have committed suicide … If that happened in a number of plane crashes, we will be having royal commission after royal commission, so this is incredibly important. These people have served our nation.

Joyce calls for peace before statehood discussion on Israel and Palestine

Barnaby Joyce has said “it’s not the right time and it’s not the place” to be having a discussion about recognising a Palestinian state.

“The only thing we should be discussing is how we bring about peace,” he has told the ABC.

At this point in time, Gaza is run by a terrorist organisation called Hamas and so a plan to create a separate terrorist state, how does that work? Obviously we would want, as things progress, for Israel and the Palestinians to come to an arrangement which brings peace over the longer term and that’s what everybody wants … Nobody wants what is happening there at the moment. It is a complete and utter human tragedy but the source of this, the instigator of this, was a terrorist organisation and you cannot start saying I’m going to open up negotiations with a terrorist organisation. Is Australia going to have diplomatic relations with a terrorist organisation representatives of the Gaza Strip?

Concern among LGBTQ+ groups about Cass review findings into trans healthcare practices in UK

The findings of a major review of trans healthcare practices in the UK have been met with deep concern by Australian LGBTQ+ organisations, with “caution and care” urged in local interpretations of it.

The Cass review – named for Dr Hilary Cass, the paediatrician commissioned to conduct a review of the services provided by the UK health system to children and young people exploring their gender identity – found gender medicine was “ built on shaky foundations ” and that there was a dearth of robust data in the field.

Representatives from Equality Australia, the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), Acon, the Trans Justice Project and more, said the review “ignores the consensus of major medical bodies around the world and lacks relevance within an Australian context”.

The director of community health at Acon, Teddy Cook, said:

Trans people everywhere should have access to the highest attainable level of health through a robust, evidence based, multi-disciplinary and affirming approach, an approach that demonstrably saves trans lives. In ignoring key evidence and research, the Cass review does not meet that standard and has today let down the very people, families, health providers and communities it seeks to support.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has urged local institutions to “hold the report at arm’s length” and ensure that it is not used “to drive extremist responses … that do more harm than good” to trans healthcare, such as the withdrawal of puberty blockers from trans and gender-diverse young people.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia chief executive Nicky Bath said:

The report itself acknowledges that the review is marred by poor quality data and flawed methodologies, which in and of itself, calls into question the validity of the report’s conclusions … We call on the Australian government to stand by trans and gender diverse young people, listen to them, their families, organisations and clinicians and resist the pressure that will come to withdraw access to puberty blockers and instead support affirming care practices that respects children-centred care, the autonomy and dignity of transgender and gender-diverse people.

Claims flowing in to insurance firms

Insurers have received 11,527 claims to date from last weekend’s severe storm in New South Wales, the Insurance Council of Australia has reported.

Most of these claims related to damage to buildings and contents as a result of wind and heavy rain causing gutters to overflow and flash flooding to occur.

The ICA said that at this stage it was too early to estimate the insurance damage bill, which most severely affected the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Illawarra regions of New South Wales.

The ICA’s advice to people whose property has been affected by storm-related damage is:

If property or a vehicle have been affected, customers are advised to contact their insurer as soon as possible to commence the claims process even if they do not know the full extent of damage.

Insurance customers are not required to keep destroyed property, including carpets and furnishings, and should instead take photos, note any identifying information, and keep materials samples.

New data also released today shows that losses from declared insurance catastrophes this summer have reached close to $1.6bn, with the cost of the Christmas storms now exceeding $1.1bn.

The Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, has said a “pathway out of the endless cycle of violence” in the Middle East can only come with recognition of “a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel”.

Some commentators have interpreted the speech as a hint that Australia could recognise Palestinian statehood in the near term.

So what did Wong actually say about a two-state solution, what was she silent about, and how does this fit in with what Australia’s allies are doing? Daniel Hurst has this excellent explainer:

Icac concludes probe of former Labor minister’s conduct

The New South Wales corruption watchdog has ended its investigation into former Labor minister Tim Crakanthorp after concluding there were “no reasonable prospects” of finding his conduct corrupt.

Crakanthorp was sacked from cabinet last August after it was revealed the Newcastle MP had allegedly failed to declare “substantial private family holdings” relating to his wife’s family.

Neither Crakanthorp’s wife nor her family were accused of any wrongdoing.

The premier, Chris Minns, referred the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after asking Crakanthorp to resign as a minister after he became aware of the properties across the Hunter region, for which he was the minister.

A spokesperson for the Icac on Wednesday said:

As the Commission is satisfied that there are no reasonable prospects of finding Mr Crakanthorp’s conduct is sufficiently serious to justify a finding of corrupt conduct, it has terminated its investigation.

Mona responds to ruling against Ladies Lounge

Hi, Kate Lyons here, I’ll be taking you through the rest of the day’s news.

To start us off, AAP have an update after the late-breaking news yesterday that Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art have lost a legal battle over its Ladies Lounge exhibit.

The artist behind the Ladies Lounge said she is deeply saddened after the exhibit was found to be unlawful.

A case was brought against the operators of Mona in the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal by Jason Lau, who was refused access to the lounge, because only women are allowed entry.

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision ruled on Tuesday that Kirsha Kaechele’s artwork may have had a point but violated the law.

The women-only, curtained-off lounge now has 28 days to allow “persons who do not identify as ladies” access to the installation.

Ms Kaechele posted on Instagram on Wednesday that she was “saddened by the court’s ruling against the Ladies Lounge”.

“But, by grace of due process, I have been granted a 28-day period. This allows me space to absorb the situation, seek counsel and compose myself,” she wrote.

“I am so grateful for your ongoing understanding and support through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Such periods can be painful, as many of us know.”

A MONA spokesperson said the museum is taking time to figure out its next steps.

“We are deeply disappointed by this decision. We will take some time to absorb the result and consider our options,” she said.

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today, Kate Lyons will be here to guide you through the rest of our rolling coverage. Take care!

China calls US remarks on Taiwan ‘very dangerous’

Reuters is reporting some pushback from China on the Aukus deal, particularly where it comes to discussions surrounding Taiwan.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has called remarks made by the US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell dangerous, after he suggested Aukus could help deter any Chinese move against Taiwan.

“His remarks are very dangerous,” said spokesperson Zhu Fenglian when responding to a question at a weekly press conference.

The establishment of the so-called trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia is essentially to provoke military confrontation in the region through military cooperation in small circles.

Campbell, who made a rare link between Taiwan and Aukus, told Washington’s Center for a New American Security thinktank that new submarine capabilities would enhance peace and stability, including in the strait that separates China and Taiwan.

Any attempt to use relevant military cooperation to intervene in the Taiwan issue is to interfere in China’s internal affairs, violate the one-China principle, and endanger peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We firmly oppose.

Wong on two-state solution for Israel Palestine

There’s been much discussion today about a speech Penny Wong gave last night, suggesting support for a Palestinian state may provide a pathway to a two-state solution.

The foreign minister said the recognition of a Palestinian state would help ensure long-term security for Israel, and further undermine Hamas.

Here’s a video from her speech, delivered at the Australian National University :

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Perfusionist (510486)

Position details, applications close:, award/classification:, employment type:, job description:.

The Royal Hobart Hospital and Department of General Medicine are recruiting suitably qualified applicants for a Perfusionist.

We are looking for an experienced Perfusionist to help provide perfusion services within the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit. This includes Cardiopulmonary bypass procedures and all associated circulatory support.

Who are we?

Royal Hobart Hospital is Tasmania’s largest hospital, and the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit within the RHH is the tertiary referral centre for all cardiothoracic surgery in Tasmania. As the major clinical teaching and research centre, RHH works closely with the University of Tasmania and other institutions.  All our services work closely together to focus on delivering excellence in healthcare to achieve improved outcomes for our consumers, our workforce, and the Tasmanian community.

We strive to provide excellent Cardiothoracic Surgical care to the 500,000-strong population of Tasmania.

• Assist the Clinical Perfusion Services section of the Tasmanian Cardiothoracic Unit in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Provide specialist perfusion services conducting perfusion services in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures and operating associated circulatory support systems.
• Participate in the on-call roster for cardiothoracic surgical services
• Provide user maintenance on a range of perfusion equipment.
• Contribute to providing clinical perfusion services in an effective and coordinated manner.
• Operate as a member of the Cardiac Surgery Team providing a clinical service and specialist activity.

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of Appointment

Permanent, full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible.

*Notwithstanding hours may be negotiated with the successful applicant

• Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time and part time vacancies.

Salary: $120,114 - $134,268 per annum. Our Employer 11% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

In addition, the following allowances will contribute to the overall package available:

• 30% of base salary as Market Allowance.
• On call and call back allowances
• Professional Development Allowance of up to $1000 per annum
• Relocation and accommodation assistance, within Department of Health guidelines can be provided.
• Please note that access to salaries beyond $126,845 is subject to qualifications and/or application to the personal upgrade scheme. 

Salary range is in accordance with Allied Health Professionals Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible. 

Eligibility:

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria:

• Tertiary qualification/program of study recognised by the Australian and New Zealand Board of Perfusion
• Holds a Certificate of Clinical Perfusion awarded by the Australian and New Zealand Board of Perfusion.

The Head of the State Service has determined that the person nominated for this job is to satisfy a pre‑employment check before taking up the appointment, on promotion or transfer. The following checks are to be conducted:

• Conviction checks in the following areas:
• crimes of violence
• sex related offences
• serious drug offences
• crimes involving dishonesty
• Identification check
• Disciplinary action in previous employment check.

How to Apply

Apply Online.  Please click the "Apply" button on this screen.  This ensures important questions about you are answered. 

You will be prompted to complete a 1–2-page application outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties.

Please note:

• We do not require a separate statement addressing the selection criteria.
• All attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
• Referee details are submitted as part of the online application so make sure you have the contact details of two referees before applying.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Applicant Guide, Statement of Duties, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and selection criteria.

Statement of Duties

• Perfusionist HP04.pdf
• Perfusionist HP04.docx

Applicant Guide

• Department of Health - Applicant Guide June 22.pdf
• Department of Health - Applicant Guide June 22.docx

For more information contact - 

Colin Banks

Position: Nursing Director Phone: (03) 6166 6738 E-mail: [email protected]

Important information

The email account you provide when submitting job applications will be used in correspondence to you.  It is important that this is kept up to date and monitored regularly.

To update your email address (or contact number), log in to  www.jobs.tas.gov.au  and look for “Existing applicant login” where you can update your details

The Department of Health values workforce diversity and recognises the value each person offers which is shaped by their unique characteristics, background, experiences, knowledge, skills, values and perspectives.

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• Review the Statement of Duties and consider if you meet the requirements.
• Speak to the Contact Officer if you have any questions.
• Submit your application including any additional documents as specified in each individual job vacancy notice.

A history of violent crimes in Australia

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Praveen leads a team of reporters covering companies and financial news in Australia and New Zealand. Before moving to Sydney he was the New Zealand Bureau Chief, where he reported on the leadership of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the coronavirus pandemic, the terrorist attack in Christchurch and several natural disasters. Prior to New Zealand, he was Bureau Chief for Malaysia and Brunei leading a team of reporters covering the missing MH370 airliner, the 1MDB scandal and the country's political turmoil in 2018, which won him an journalism award from the Society of Publishers in Asia. He has previously worked as a correspondent in the UAE, Afghanistan and India.

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